What it's about: Living in a poor neighborhood with his neglectful mother and her abusive boyfriend, it's hard for 15-year-old Marcos Rivas to see any way out. But when an unexpected opportunity arises -- his high school principal chooses him for a program for underachieving but promising students -- Marcos begins to let himself hope.

Narration: Actor Christian Barillas, who has a recurring role on the television show Modern Family, brings to life this gritty yet inspirational young adult story.

What it's about: As Hurricane Katrina approaches, Creole artisan Joe Boisdoré and his high-society wife flee, while their eldest daughter, Cora, refuses to leave. Six weeks later, Joe and Tess have separated, and Cora is nearly catatonic. When a body is found in the house Cora had sheltered in during the storm, the question morphs from "What happened to Cora?" to "What did Cora do?"

What it's about: Amber Patterson wants one thing: to leave behind her poor background and land a wealthy husband -- in this case, Jackson Parrish. The fact that there's already a Mrs. Parrish doesn't bother her too much; she hopes to use Daphne Parrish to get to Jackson.

Is it for you? Fans of the amoral characters in Gone Girl will want to give this debut a try.

What it is: a sweeping biography of boxer Muhammad Ali, relating his family background, boxing career, the complexities of his celebrity status, and his later life. Author Jonathan Eig also examines political and personal controversies in the context of the 1960s, and draws on previously unavailable sources.

Book buzz: Eig is now working with filmmaker Ken Burns to make a documentary about Ali.

What it is: a vividly descriptive portrait of Jann Wenner, the founder of Rolling Stone magazine. Beginning in 1967, Wenner piloted the counterculture, ultimately fulfilling his ambition to become the rock journalism equivalent of mainstream media-mogul Henry Luce.

Is it for you? Yes, if you're a fan of popular culture and rock music.

Narration: Dennis Boutsikaris has received eight Audie Awards and two Best Voices of the Year Awards from AudioFile.

What it's about: In this sequel to IQ, Isaiah “IQ” Quintabe continues to examine the circumstances surrounding his beloved brother Marcus' hit-and-run death eight years earlier. And when he and his volatile sidekick, Dodson, head to Sin City to help his ex-girlfriend’s sister, they end up dealing with Chinese gangsters and a formidable loan shark.

Narration: Sullivan Jones' reading will hook anyone looking for a modern, gritty take on Sherlock Holmes.

What it's about: In this 1st in The Wildes of Lindlow Castle romance series, the author of popular travel memoirs, globe-trotting Lord Alaric Wilde, returns to England to discover that he's a celebrity. Suddenly, women are throwing themselves at him. Well, except for the one he's truly interested in, Miss Wilhelmina "Willa" Ffynche, who's not at all impressed.

Narration: Listeners who enjoy British accents -- and verbal sparring -- will enjoy narrator Susan Duerden’s lively take on this Georgian romance.

What it's about: In her isolated town of Clearhaven, polygamy is the norm, so 17-year-old Hanna has never questioned that on her 18th birthday she'll become the fifth wife to a man three times her age. But a chance meeting with a stranger -- and a revelation from her mother -- has her thinking about other options.

Narration: The melodious, fluid voice of narrator Caitlin Kelly is a good match for this unusual coming-of-age novel, which weaves in elements of magical realism.

What it's about: Born into slavery aboard the starship Matilda, Aster Grey struggles to survive in a rigidly stratified society ruled by the elite of the upper decks. But Aster's discovery that something is wrong with the ship sets the stage for dramatic transformation -- both personal and political.

Narration: Cherise Boothe is an accomplished stage and television actress who has also twice been a finalist for an Audie Award, making her well-suited for this ambitious debut that tackles weighty topics like race, class, and gender.

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